Program Educates Black Women About Cardiovascular Disease

Poet Maya Angelou featured in prevention campaign

(HealthDay is the new name for HealthScoutNews.)

MONDAY, Aug. 18, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Poet and author Maya Angelou is featured in a new program to promote cardiovascular health in black women.

The educational initiative, "Heart Health for the Generations: A Guide for African American Women," consists of a 30-minute educational video and companion guidebook. The video explains cardiovascular disease and highlights prevention strategies and risk factors for developing various forms of the disease.

The booklet offers guidelines on leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. It also provides helpful questions to ask doctors and useful methods to track progress in improving blood pressure and cholesterol.

Throughout the video and booklet, Angelou provides commentary and encourages black women to support one another in leading heart-healthy lives for their own benefit, as well as for their children, spouses and community.

The program is offered by the Association of Black Cardiologists and the drug company Novartis.

Almost 40 percent of black women in the United States die from cardiovascular disease and all American black women are at higher risk than white women from developing high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease.

A recent study found that one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure -- with older black women experiencing the greatest increase in developing the disease.

More information

You can download the program free of charge from the Web site of the Association of Black Cardiologists.

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